The marvelous adventure of following Christ

Passions and the Pursuit of Them

Over the past few days I’ve become acutely aware of the battle that is being waged for my passion. Because I am a single soul in a grandiose universe, I am seriously dumbfounded. Why does my passion matter? The other day, I talked about the importance of one. I’d like to bring it up in a different context again today–the importance of the passions of one. To talk about that, I have to start with one profoundly simple statement. Jesus Christ died that I might be saved. That’s it.

Merriam-Webster defines the word passion in several ways:

1) a strong feeling or excitement for something or about doing something

2) a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way

3) a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone.

Most of us have felt one or more of these, have we not?

Given those definitions, I can tell you that many things stir “passion” within me…my family, my baby granddaughter, cycling, fitness classes, yummy healthy foods, travel…..there’s an endless list. Ironically or not, the definition for “Passion,” when capitalized, happens to be “the suffering and death of Jesus Christ between the Last Supper and the Cross.” Countless millions of people have suffered and died, yet the true definition of Passion singles out Jesus alone. This matters to me, and it serves as a reminder to me. Christ alone suffered and died for me! Many, many entities will compete for my passions, but Jesus….he DIED for them.

Here’s the truth. There is ONE throne that inhabits the ruler our hearts…..just one. Sure, we can love many, many people and things. Jesus gave room for these, in their proper position, when he taught us this in Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (KJV) In other words, if we put Jesus on the throne of our hearts–the very object of our passion, he will provide for us all else we need. There isn’t a single other competitor for my heart that can promise me that.

Let me give you a phrase that can serve as a warning bell when someone or something seeks to captivate your passion….”_______” will change your life! Or in another way….”_______” has changed my life!” Put any word in that blank, good or bad, it is counterfeit! If Jesus isn’t in that blank, no life has been or will be changed. It is idolatry, plain and simple. I don’t care if it makes you gorgeous, rich, healthy, skinny, well-educated, virile, happy, or pain-free. If Jesus is not in that blank, your life has yet to be changed.

Getting back to the matter of the importance of the passions of one, I offer this: That which drives you controls your life. Why are your specific passions important? It is because they will determine the choices you make and the very effect you will have in the lives of others. He or that which inhabits the throne of your heart will determine the impact you make in this world. Will it be temporary or eternal? Will it lead to temporary satisfaction or eternal satisfaction? If it ain’t Jesus, it’s temporary. No exceptions.